1987 Mustang 5.0 stocker questions

Jeff Kempton · 09-05-2012, 08:12 PM

I've read some of the earlier threads on Mustang 5.0 stockers, and the general consensus seems to be that the earlier carbureted version is the best to build as a Stocker. However, what about a 1987 fuel injected model? A friend is wondering how tough it would be to convert his into a Stocker to run in our local Stock/SS combo series. We run under IHRA rules, so I think that'd put him in G/FIA with an Index of 13.05. Under NHRA rules his class would be M/SA with an Index of 12.85. Good so far?

Racing locally with the Atlantic Canadian Stock SuperStock Association, he wouldn't have to worry about a heads up. My question is; how difficult/expensive would it be to get this combo to run 2 to 4 tenths under the Index, and what areas would you suggest he focus on? He's on a budget and is just looking to come play, not dominate the qualifying sheets!

Can this combo succeed as a "Dime Rocket"? LOL Thanks in advance for any input!

partsbob67 · 09-06-2012, 09:11 PM

ok i'll bite. cam,long tube headers,shocks, drag spring set,gears, set of 30''
radials,c-4 trans,convertor. i'm probably missing some stuff here but it's a start.

JHeath · 09-06-2012, 10:24 PM

My 89 GT had a $900.00 short block, $100.00 pistons, stock rods with ARP wave-loc bolts, Lunati stick-shift cam, lifters modified by Cliff Sherman, Jerico trans,514 gears and ALL the stock wiring harness, gas tank , and even power windows, easily ran 50-96 under the index in M/S, N/S, O/S, and G/FI, and H/FI, my 10th run on the car( me being very stocker illiterate) was -.36 under the index, actually at my first race , I ran the index on the third run.

Chris1529 · 09-07-2012, 09:35 AM

You could run it as a pure stock if you are running under IHRA Rules.
It would take a little more work to run as a regular stocker.

Also depends on how much RPM you want to run. I highly suggest at the very least putting an SFI vibration damper on it if you are using the stock bottom end.

I don't think it would be considered a dime rocket given the price for a full race C4 and converter, or a new stick trans with bellhousing, clutch, and shifter.

Lee Valentine · 09-07-2012, 10:00 AM

Not too hard, built one a few years ago on the cheap,went a second under H/FIA index for under $ 5000 total. 5.13 gears blueprint cam, valve job cc,ed heads homemade low $ ring package, C-4 and 4500 conv. 24# injectors and used accel gen.-6 efi system,9X30 radials, summit long tube headers ,homemade X pipe, 4 cly springs 12.21-106.06.Lee Valentine.

Jeff Kempton · 09-08-2012, 08:08 AM

Thanks guys; that's the sort of info I was looking for.

Based on the feedback it sounds like it is do-able on a budget; now the owner just has to decide if he wants to go through with it. Regarding Pure Stock or even a Crate Motor option; I looked at those, but the nearest races besides our own series are all NHRA events, and if he goes through the effort it'd be nice to leave those options open in case "road trip fever" strikes him!

If anyone else has any suggestions I'm all ears.

09-05-2012, 08:12 PM	#1
Jeff Kempton Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 233 Likes: 1,041 Liked 60 Times in 28 Posts	1987 Mustang 5.0 stocker questions I've read some of the earlier threads on Mustang 5.0 stockers, and the general consensus seems to be that the earlier carbureted version is the best to build as a Stocker. However, what about a 1987 fuel injected model? A friend is wondering how tough it would be to convert his into a Stocker to run in our local Stock/SS combo series. We run under IHRA rules, so I think that'd put him in G/FIA with an Index of 13.05. Under NHRA rules his class would be M/SA with an Index of 12.85. Good so far? Racing locally with the Atlantic Canadian Stock SuperStock Association, he wouldn't have to worry about a heads up. My question is; how difficult/expensive would it be to get this combo to run 2 to 4 tenths under the Index, and what areas would you suggest he focus on? He's on a budget and is just looking to come play, not dominate the qualifying sheets! Can this combo succeed as a "Dime Rocket"? LOL Thanks in advance for any input!

09-06-2012, 09:11 PM	#2
partsbob67 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: rohnert park,ca Posts: 414 Likes: 11 Liked 78 Times in 11 Posts	Re: 1987 Mustang 5.0 stocker questions ok i'll bite. cam,long tube headers,shocks, drag spring set,gears, set of 30'' radials,c-4 trans,convertor. i'm probably missing some stuff here but it's a start. __________________ bob beals 7244

09-06-2012, 10:24 PM	#3
JHeath Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 786 Likes: 2,876 Liked 370 Times in 101 Posts	Re: 1987 Mustang 5.0 stocker questions My 89 GT had a $900.00 short block, $100.00 pistons, stock rods with ARP wave-loc bolts, Lunati stick-shift cam, lifters modified by Cliff Sherman, Jerico trans,514 gears and ALL the stock wiring harness, gas tank , and even power windows, easily ran 50-96 under the index in M/S, N/S, O/S, and G/FI, and H/FI, my 10th run on the car( me being very stocker illiterate) was -.36 under the index, actually at my first race , I ran the index on the third run. __________________ Jerry Heath I/S '93 Cobra FS/J 2010 Mustang "Ebay CJ"

09-07-2012, 09:35 AM	#4
Chris1529 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,366 Likes: 6 Liked 70 Times in 29 Posts	Re: 1987 Mustang 5.0 stocker questions You could run it as a pure stock if you are running under IHRA Rules. It would take a little more work to run as a regular stocker. Also depends on how much RPM you want to run. I highly suggest at the very least putting an SFI vibration damper on it if you are using the stock bottom end. I don't think it would be considered a dime rocket given the price for a full race C4 and converter, or a new stick trans with bellhousing, clutch, and shifter. __________________ Chris Bowman The Mountain State Mustang 1984 Mustang GT350

09-07-2012, 10:00 AM	#5
Lee Valentine Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brookfield, CT Posts: 708 Likes: 13 Liked 319 Times in 68 Posts	Re: 1987 Mustang 5.0 stocker questions Not too hard, built one a few years ago on the cheap,went a second under H/FIA index for under $ 5000 total. 5.13 gears blueprint cam, valve job cc,ed heads homemade low $ ring package, C-4 and 4500 conv. 24# injectors and used accel gen.-6 efi system,9X30 radials, summit long tube headers ,homemade X pipe, 4 cly springs 12.21-106.06.Lee Valentine. __________________ Lee Valentine 1661 STK

09-08-2012, 08:08 AM	#6
Jeff Kempton Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 233 Likes: 1,041 Liked 60 Times in 28 Posts	Re: 1987 Mustang 5.0 stocker questions Thanks guys; that's the sort of info I was looking for. Based on the feedback it sounds like it is do-able on a budget; now the owner just has to decide if he wants to go through with it. Regarding Pure Stock or even a Crate Motor option; I looked at those, but the nearest races besides our own series are all NHRA events, and if he goes through the effort it'd be nice to leave those options open in case "road trip fever" strikes him! If anyone else has any suggestions I'm all ears.